Tombstone epitaph., 1887-11-05
THE COLONIES GIFT.

0Nc iuy COuScut " yooh CuSoeoAuSuS with Arthur Daunt, childi sPreposterousl Why, neither of you have been long out of the nursery"
 "I am IS, and Arthur is go, grandpapa. :"
 ''Twenty-twor' contemptuously; Ia boyl No man should marry until he is 30. But run away, dear, Tam busy"
 Tho "ConoL" as the villagers called him, sat at his table engaged with ''un- paid" official business. He dipped his pen in to ink, and the fair pleader felt herself dismissed. id E1 q, isr q
 Soldier Col. Dormants experiences were of the barrack, tho camp, canton mcnt3, years of service in India, Q military post i1 London. It was Q red letter day for l,ir.l when he was appraised by 2 Lon don firm of solicitors that by tho will of his godfather he had succeeded to Vest fields. Tho intelligence came as surprise to hin; no promise had been given, no hint ever thrown out He had not seen Wcatllclds for years, he felt that he had pcylcctett the old squire. The colonel was not long making up his mind. No more routine, he would rest; balmy country air would bs beneficial to the cheruhi he only seemed to live for.
 In a short twelvemonths the rural quie- tude of Wcsrflelds began to pail An had nothing to do. Hunting, shooting, occu- pied only Q portion of the year, and these pursuits tired him. Some one had per- ception-there came the suggestion. The colonel humm'd and had, but 1t gave him pleasure. He had onhand careless ness-it was an honor, certainly. Yes, he would give some portion of his time to the administration of jastiee.i He be- came interested, zest followed. What was worth doing, was worth doing well. Assiduous in attendance, he became as well. yersed in petty sessional as in mill tary matters. In the army he had been considered martinat; on the tbeneh, Q 'steern' man was the verdict passed upon him.
 A fine old man, tall and commanding, straight as dart, though he had reached the allotted span of life. His hair silver, his aspect martial, the heavy cropped mustache adding to the severity of his countenance.
 The colonel ceased writing. He be- came abstracted. He laid down his pen and marched to the window. He looked out, but it was doubtful whether he saw anything. He was thinking.
 Again tho demand. It had come upon him once before. He could not by any stretch of complaisance deludo himsef into an opinion that the marriage had been satisfactory. The husband might have been better than he was. Eighty, i'm. pulsive, too fond of dubious relaxation, the young husband had needed thelword in season and had taken remonstrance i'll. The colonel had almost relief when the regiment was ordered for foreign service, though it placed the wide sea between him and his darling He was never to see her again. Oceana-true' child of the foam, atom of life to be fostered hy aliens, to live through buffetings, to accept with out murmur, and as if quite natural, the passing from hand to hand, until, orphaned, she found herself under the roof of n taclturn, but doting grnnd- parent. How the child became part of his bc.ny, until he began to apprehend the wrench it would be to part with her, and to dread t..c appearance of the wooer who would seek to deprive him ofihis treasure.
 Tho colonel's soliloquy was almost au- di5le. lilo shall not marry her. She can afford to wait Q year or two. Time will prove him, and she will be in better position to judge. She shall see Q little more of tho world. There's her fathers kin, they have expressed wish to see moro of her. They are in tho world. If s.io Coc5 arlony them, she will see some- tu.a, of society, be presented"
 It was what ltc did not like, sending her nraoay then. TIo had Gn uneasy jealous feelilg, what if over her they wcrc to exercise come subtle influence, md Ter undivided affection Do no longer his. Un- divided? Matters could not be Eiorc frri- tatiny then they were.
 Tlc coloacl returned to his table, tcok up lii3 ren, and, after avicious prod in the in:. vel, resumed his task.
 A typ, cnl tho library door again ooeac:l.' Oceana again presenting herself, tic scratc., of the colonel's pen became more vigorous. '-"f'
 "Yoa sr, busy yet. grandpapas" There wa3 disappointment. Tho pen Tas stayed. a| |,
 "What D 1t, Oceana?'' The colonel laid down his pen to wheel round his chair.
 'Thc post has just brought mo note from Arthur. D. 60 .s-----
 ''WcllY' Tho tone was not unkind, but unencouraging. Tho colonel foresaw that the unwelcome argument was to be re- sulnel =t ".
 Tho young girl advanced; approaching the old man, she sank on her knees before him. There was appeal in her eyes-im- ploration. H~2a niestua
 "Grandpapa, Arthur will be here this afternoon Hc will wish to speak to you. You will not be out of the way; you will receive him9'' eff you wish 1t, certainly" -'i' ''s
 "Grandpapa, he wishes to ask your con. sent to our engagement-our marriage" "
 .I can only say to him what have said to you. Too young, too young. Marriage is serious matter, not to be lightly un' dcrtaken. What safeguard is theres He may not have sown his wild oats"-
 'He may never begin to sow them If he marries." +s,v
 The colonel almost drowned. He was not in the mood to be amused with equivoque .'t ''
 ''I am glad you have advised me; shall have time to ponder over my an swer." J slt e E
 "But you will not rcfuse9"
 "My dear, must think for you.i must be guided by what judge will bt best for your future welfare" 4s
 TLs girl arose from her knees, to stand at ths mantel, to toy with a bronze Indiar idol. Shc was wounded.
 Tho old mans eyes rested upon hel with nn intensity of love and admiration She was beautlful-her face was classic her arm was model for q sculptor. No he did not wish to torture her; but tG part with her--wonld life, 90 desolate, st solitary, be worth ivingS
 ''Ocy, IS it that you are tired of living with ali old mun!" 1; |. 4..
 '.iyo grandpapa," shc answered him. ,v;fr, tr,,,,,,1o,,c Hr .x,s<h a, correctness t.:t was almost rcproach.
 t.Xyh.,f iI it iian4ii la aalcad har need,